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| Financially...Yes You Can! By Julia Thomas ’02 Converse study/travel programs provide more than a cultural experience: they give students a well-rounded education. Studying abroad is an opportunity to apply knowledge learned in a textbook in the ultimate classroom, the country the information came from. Chapman Scholarships, financial aid, student loans...the possibilities are endless. The experiences gained from studying abroad are worth more than a price tag can reflect. With some investigation, students who wish to make their dreams of study abroad a reality can find many sources of aid to help them get where they want to go. At Converse, each student expects something different from her college experience, and for some it is the experience of a lifetime to study abroad. Although the desire is there, the financial aspect of study/travel can outweigh that desire. For this reason, Anne Morrison Chapman’s family helps Converse students to realize their dream to study abroad. (See page 4 for more information on the Chapman family.) The Chapman Scholarship provides a new way to defray the cost for 20 Converse students. Financial aid and student loans are also available for those who qualify. “We want every student who has the desire to study abroad to have the opportunity to do so,” said Dr. Jeri King, director of International Studies. Dr. King said the cost of study abroad was the main deterrent for most students, yet financial aid is available for those who qualify. “Any student who wants to participate in study abroad or study/travel should complete the Anne Morrison Chapman Study Abroad Experience scholarship application form with Dr. King first,” said Peggy Collins, director of financial aid. Following that step, the students should then check with financial aid to see what options are available to them. “We evaluate each student independently in order to determine what monies are available for study abroad,” said Collins. For some students a student loan is possible. Again, the amounts are determined individually and based on criteria already in place in the Financial Aid office. Each semester, approximately ten scholarships are available. The amount of the awards depends not only on need, but the length of stay and the country the student has chosen. The application process consists of a formal application and short essay detailing what the student hopes to glean from her study/travel experience.
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